A CORBRIDGE pub which has been closed since the floods of December has reopened after six months of drying out and refurbishment.

And Hexham’s MP Guy Opperman was on hand to toast the pub’s future success together with publican Chris Baxter and his team.

The Dyvels Inn, on Station Road, was flooded when the River Tyne broke its banks in Storm Desmond.

The water flowed straight through the ground floor of the property, damaging features and decoration which had been completed by Chris Baxter and his team just three months previously.

“We took over The Dyvels Inn in late summer, and spent some time making it the sort of pub we wanted it to be – cosy with intimate corners and roaring fires, and a great menu featuring food home cooked in our own kitchen,” said Chris.

“The flood closed us completely as everything was sodden, and we have spent the time since drying out, stripping out everything that was damaged, and starting redecoration and refurbishment again, as well as putting in new furniture and kitting out the kitchen.”

The pub has now reopened and customers are already enjoying the beer garden again.

“It is fantastic to see this great pub restored after such terrible flood damage and to see the enthusiasm of Chris and his team in making sure The Dyvels Inn is a pub at the heart of the community of Corbridge,” said Mr Opperman.

“I am sure locals and visitors alike will enjoy the warm hospitality which I received on my visit.”

The Dyvels Inn is a Punch pub, and Punch partnership development manager Simon Lynch said: “To have to close the pub less than three months after assigning the lease has been testing for Chris. He and his team have shown real determination and patience in doing it all for a second time, and they should be proud of their achievements.”

Chris added: “We are delighted to be back up and running after so many months waiting.

“My thoughts are often with friends and guests alike who are still not back in their homes and who have lost so many personal belongings.”